All Sports Everythinghttps://allsportseverything.com
Dishing What's Relevant Across The BoardWed, 08 Nov 2017 22:53:14 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.13‘The Miseducation of the Student Athlete’: A Conversation with co-authors Kenneth Shropshire and Collin Williams, Jr.https://allsportseverything.com/2017/11/the-miseducation-of-the-student-athlete/
Wed, 08 Nov 2017 13:52:38 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11925The money rules of college sports are simple. Stakeholders of the game — the NCAA, colleges, athletic departments, coaches, media, and more — rake in billions of dollars, annually. Meanwhile, so-called student-athletes responsible for driving said billion dollar revenues are entirely cut out of any of the profits earned. What results is exploitation of student-athletes, corruption, and a litany of college sports scandals. It’s a decades-old issue requiring reform.

Co-authors Kenneth L. Shropshire (CEO of the Global Sport Institute and the adidas Distinguished Professor of Global Sport at Arizona State University) and Collin D. Williams, Jr. (Director of Leadership and Education Programs in the South region for RISE, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) attack the problem head on in their newly published book, The Miseducation of the Student Athlete: How to Fix College Sports. Shropshire and Williams not only identify the core challenges facing the NCAA, its member institutions and student-athletes, but most importantly, the co-authors present an action plan, The Student-Athlete Manifesto, that serves as a “roadmap to increase the likelihood that student-athletes can succeed both on and off the field,” beginning with the prioritization of a meaningful education and improved post-athletic career preparedness.

After digesting 70-pages of their bold call-to-action, I had the privilege to speak with Shropshire and Williams. We discussed why it’s important to highlight the racial and cultural statistics associated with the Division 1 college sports landscape, an aspect that I feel is often omitted from the discussion; whether student-athletes should be paid; and if their Manifesto will indeed “fix” the corruption in college sports.

Below is a snapshot of our conversation. Dive into the discussion and order a copy of The Miseducation of the Student Athlete for yourself. It’s a thought-provoking read that successfully provides the framework to shift the cultural narrative of college sports back to education, while also presenting historical context and statistical facts to support its recommendation.

ASE: When the topic of “fixing” college athletics is debated by mainstream media, racial and cultural implications are rarely discussed. However, your book doesn’t waste any time addressing that the majority of Division 1 basketball and football athletes are Black. Why was it necessary to include race and culture in the discussion from the outset?

Shropshire: That’s a deep question. Don’t you have to? I say that having read a lot of other people’s work that doesn’t deal with it. Black people and scholars have always addressed this issue in some way. The first formal scholarly addressing of it, in my mind, is Dr. Harry Edwards, who kind of founded the psychology of sports in the mid-60s and began to say we have to talk about this issue too. Unfortunately, we’ve been talking about it a lot. I could name a lot of scholars talking about it. Then, Taylor Branch writes a piece in The Atlantic, The Shame of College Sports. I wish I had saved the calls and emails from the scholars who had been thinking about this for a while saying, ‘Here we go again, Columbus discovered America.’ This is something we’ve been saying all along and here we have this white, world-renowned scholar say it…and in some ways, that’s a good thing. The bad thing is that in some kind of way he becomes the voice. He, in a less articulate way than Bill Rhoden, maybe two or three years before in Forty Million Dollar Slaves, articulates this whole plantation analysis. And frankly, I don’t think as many people paid attention to that as they did Taylor Branch saying essentially the same thing over again.

ASE: You share the title of the book was inspired by Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s The Mis-Education of the Negro. You also reference his theory of “back-door thinking”, which I believe has long term effects on athletes well beyond college. We’re seeing that with today’s NFL and the divide that protests have caused among current and retired players. Additionally, you acknowledge that one can be miseducated even with a degree; a statement that I support. What I wonder, however, is how does the manifesto address shifting the “back-door thinking” mindset of these athletes?

Williams: One thing that the manifesto does is open up greater realm of possibilities for all student athletes. There are narrow opportunities for these young men and women to make decisions and choices to sit down and develop critical thinking skills, as opposed to having very rigid schedules and decisions being made for them. We really emphasize each athlete on an individual basis thinking through the things they really want to do. Thinking about who they want to become, not just as athletes but as people, and helping them to make decisions about their future. To go through processes in a different way. Looking at the long term possibilities, we start to empower them to look beyond just sport. We want to have them think about what’s to happen later and bring that awakening to them sooner so it’s not something that’s too late.

Shropshire: Our hope is that it’s a conversation shifter to systemic change in the way reforming NCAA college sports is thought about. The idea of rewarding coaches or athletic directors for the number of students that graduate is not the answer. Paying the kids is not the answer. It really is a more holistic approach to making sure these men and women are ok. That they’re going to be ok going on with life after they’ve spent this moment of time doing this thing that they love to do.

ASE: Are you for or against student athletes getting paid?

Shropshire: I think it could be a good thing, but I don’t think there’s any money left if we do all of the things we say to do. There are a number of priorities that take precedence in terms of spending. But I have no problem with the idea of doing it. It’s just where does it sit on the priority list.

Williams: Similarly, I don’t think student athletes should not be paid. I really do think it’s about prioritizing. I think there are some extenuating circumstances in which student athletes may need funds to live standard student life, right? So there are kids who are coming there who have parents who are at home that are really struggling to get by, things that really impact their ability to be a student or an athlete. I also just have the fear that some might see payment as the catch all. And money, in my time working in player engagement in the NFL, if you have certain problems, adding money to that problem only increases them. It doesn’t really solve them…

ASE: Like Biggie said, mo’ money, mo’ problems, right?

Williams: …yeah, mo’ money, mo’ problems. Because now you’re a target. I don’t think money without, again, critical thinking, without the know-how, without the savvy of what to do with that money really helps. So, like Ken said, it’s really about focusing on the priority which is getting these folks meaningfully educated so that they can, when the money comes around, make the types of decisions that will add to their quality of life.

ASE: I understand the emphasis and prioritization on education, and holding the NCAA and these schools/programs accountable. After all, these are educational institutions. But does the manifesto also solve the issue of players feeling like they need money to support themselves and their families…now? And will that eliminate them from taking money until they’re in a better position to provide for their family through making it to the league?

Shropshire: That’s a good question. There are exceptions, but everybody needs more money. And everybody can take on the burden of their family to varying degrees. So, what would the ideal be? The ideal would be the manifesto and money. And again, there’s nothing wrong with that [paying student athletes]. They’re doing another basketball issues committee with Condi Rice. They did one about 20-plus years ago. I was on there, and Dean Smith was on, and all of these big time people, and me as a kid. One of the discussions we had was should we, and so this was the late 80s, should we pay college basketball players? And I remember the discussion came around to how much would we have to pay them to keep the problems away. And the conclusion was, on our end there was no formal analysis, but you know we couldn’t figure out what the right number is to pay anybody. If we came up with one number, would that be enough? If we made that number big enough then we’re paying the pros. So, is this something that can really practically be done? The answer is sure, if you could put more money in, that’s great. And if you can provide more freedom for kids to go to the professional opportunities where they can get paid earlier, get rid of the one and done…things like that. Those, in my mind, are good things that provide options and opportunities. So, nothing’s wrong with it. Again the question is, is there enough money in there to do what we say is the first part, and then get to this other one?

ASE: Do you believe if the majority of D1 football and basketball athletes weren’t Black, we’d be closer to “fixing” the system?

Williams: I can’t say yes to that. Part of capitalism is somebody’s winning and somebody’s losing. It’s a zero sum game to some extent. For somebody to make a lot of money there’s somebody who has to be undervalued for whatever type of labor that they’re doing. So were it uneducated white men from rural parts of the country, I don’t think that we would see anything differently. I don’t think it’s, we don’t care about them specifically because they’re black men. I just think that based upon the limited opportunities in other parts of our economy, like education for example, that people gravitate to sport as their way out whatever scenario they’re in. Whoever it is that’s poor and doesn’t see themselves as a lawyer, a doctor or in any sort of field that can elevate them, I think sport can become that route for them.

Williams: I really hope student athletes, particularly D1 athletes. The guys playing basketball and football. I want them to recognize the realities and the outcomes, and not to push them aside. I worked with the NFL, with the Ravens. In that role we helped guys transition from college into the NFL, and then throughout the NFL, and then helped them transition to their next lives and their next career. Too often, what I saw, and this was across the league, was that no one was ready to play their last down. You kind of get kicked out of the NFL. Most guys don’t walk away from it. Very rarely will someone walk away. Even the guys that are excellent. That are elite, that have played 10 years. Which is like a miniscule percentage. Even then, when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. And as we say in the book, an athlete dies two deaths. The first is when he has to retire from his sport. So, I really, really want to help bring this reality to more athletes sooner, so they can start to build the relationship with people while they’re high profile college athletes. I really want them to benefit, but I don’t know if this book is going to be in their hands first. So we are hoping to shift the narrative overall. I want sports commentators, and pundits, and analysts to be talking about this. We want this in the higher education space where the member institutions are looking at this saying, I didn’t think about it like that, how can we reprioritize some of the spending, some of the funds and make sure we really care for our student athletes to the extent we say we care about them. All the stakeholders in sport — the colleges that admit them, the NCAA that reaps tons of financial benefit from them, to the coaches who are their mentors that love and care about them, their advisors, the tutoring counselors, who are rather than doing the work for them are actually teaching them to do it for themselves — that’s who we’re trying to get to so it can both trickle down and circle up.

The Miseducation of the Student Athlete is available for purchase today. To get your copy or learn more about the authors and the book, go here.

]]>Political Incorrectness: The absence of racial equality in the presence of feminismhttps://allsportseverything.com/2017/10/cam-newton-and-sexism/
https://allsportseverything.com/2017/10/cam-newton-and-sexism/#commentsFri, 06 Oct 2017 20:03:55 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11899“It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes,” are nine words spoken by Cam Newton that revealed the quarterback’s sexism, while simultaneously exposing America for its hypocrisy. Be clear, Newton’s remarks were immature and offensive for most women everywhere, and especially for women who have worked tirelessly to earn respect for producing quality work in the sports industry. However, the stereotypical assumption that women are less informed than their male colleagues because of their gender, trite as it may be, wasn’t the most disparaging bias exposed during this ordeal.

Newton’s team, the Carolina Panthers, and the NFL, were among the first to offer Rodrigue support. In separate statements, both organizations stressed its belief in providing a fair and equitable work environment for male and female journalists. Furthermore, the NFL distanced itself from Newton’s controversial remark adding, “They [Newton’s words] do not reflect the thinking of the league.” Predictably, The Association for Women in Sports Media and the Pro Football Writers of America, as well as a legion of male and female sports journalists, also reacted quickly in condemning Newton’s comments.

As an observer, men proudly expounding their pro-feminist views pleased the woman in me. But as a black woman, the power of intersectional feminism sent me raging against the machine, pussyhat wearing women, and of course, the (white) man. Black athletes have been taking knees, raising fists, locking arms (we don’t call that protesting over here) and using their public platforms to raise awareness about racial injustice, police brutality and general societal ills that disproportionately impact people of color for over a year. Yet, their cries have been belittled, whitewashed, and largely ignored despite several very violent videos validating their pleas for change.

Comparatively, when a white woman, in this case Rodrigue, feels victimized by a black man, white men and women throw on their capes and rush to her rescue — no questions asked. Do the googles on how white women have historically used their whiteness to weaponize against black men and how black men suffer most for it. In the oppression Olympics — absent of white men because of privilege and supremacy — white women always, always prevail.

Newton is exposed as a sexist, he loses an endorsement. Rodrigue is exposed as a racist, she suffers Twitter backlash. A presidential candidate callously promotes sexual assault, he’s elected to the most powerful position in the world.

Not to mention, 53% of white women who voted for Trump weren’t offended enough by his misogyny to withhold a vote for a president who campaigned on putting women’s reproductive rights at risk.

See how that works?

Our nation’s value system is morally corrupt. Those who are outraged enough to stand up for gender equality, but remain silent about racial equality are facilitating the dehumanization of black people.

Hypocrisy: An American Story.

photo via Getty Images/Ezra Shaw

]]>https://allsportseverything.com/2017/10/cam-newton-and-sexism/feed/2Why are owners and players suddenly so righteous after remaining willfully ignorant for a year?https://allsportseverything.com/2017/09/why-are-owners-and-players-suddenly-so-righteous-after-remaining-willfully-ignorant-for-a-year/
https://allsportseverything.com/2017/09/why-are-owners-and-players-suddenly-so-righteous-after-remaining-willfully-ignorant-for-a-year/#commentsMon, 25 Sep 2017 13:54:31 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11882On Sunday, a little more than one year after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat alone while protesting the national anthem to raise awareness for racial justice and inequality, the sports world witnessed over one hundred players, some joined by owners, revive a dying movement with their own statement-making demonstrations. For many NFL fans, the league’s players kneeling, locking arms, and raising fists during the national anthem; or choosing to avoid the American tradition altogether by remaining in the locker room, was a long time coming. But were they united in support of Kaepernick, their blackballed brother, and the causes he’s brought attention to; or against their president Donald Trump?

At an Alabama rally over the weekend, Donald Trump dedicated time to verbally attack athletes who protest, labeling Kaepernick a “son of a bitch”. Trump publicly challenged his friends, multi-billionaire MAGA hat loving NFL owners, to fire or suspend any player that exercises his constitutional right by taking a knee during the national anthem. He encouraged fans to boycott games until the league and its owners demand players stop disrespecting our country, flag, and military by kneeling; a false equivalency. Twitter rightfully exploded with players furiously responding to Trump. From defending their humanity to blasting Trump’s hateful and racist rhetoric, players didn’t hold back. The impact of Trump’s abhorrent remarks transcended professional sports leagues, inspiring Oakland A’s catcher, Bruce Maxwell, to become the first MLB player to take a knee during the national anthem.

As players sounded off, one-by-one, NFL owners took unprecedented action in a desperate effort to quell the storm ignited by Trump. More than half of the league’s owners released a statement in response to Trump’s name calling. Each owner struck a similar tone of challenging Trump to be less “divisive”, and vaguely calling for “unity”, while highlighting how tremendously dedicated NFL athletes are to servicing their communities.

As I watched the events unfold over the weekend, I couldn’t help but ask why owners and players are suddenly so righteous after remaining willfully ignorant for the past year?

Be clear, owners making statements and locking arms with players were at best a quick fix, a band-aid solution that changes nothing in the long term. It was a placating gesture to provoke players into submission. The real issue of racial justice, has always been, and remains secondary to the optics of owners protecting the shield by any means necessary. The consequences of Trump’s remarks were too great for owners to risk players refusing to take the field so they fell on their swords in hopes to restore order. Don’t be so naive to believe that owners are suddenly woke to the Black Lives Matter ideology.

Why did it require Trump to directly insult athletes for them to stand up for themselves? Kaepernick’s repeatedly referenced the countless unjustified police killings of black men and women as a valid reason to protest. He’s educated folks on the true meaning of the national anthem, and how it represents everything but freedom for people of color. He’s hipped folks to how black people remain victims of systematic racism. Look no further than his own blackballing to witness the systems of power and privilege work exactly as designed. Was it truly necessary for Trump to further dehumanize black men by calling them out of their name for athletes to have their 4:44 still n*gga awakening? Why did Trump have to publicly humiliate black athletes for them to finally overcome the mental shackles preventing them from standing for their rights and revering themselves as being worthy of life, honor, and respect?

Where was this unprecedented show of activism prior to Trump’s hateful tweets?

Feeding the animal, but starving the beast ignores this country’s oppressive reputation. Trump’s Twitter tirade and the subsequent reactions of owners and players, deflect from real issues. It dishonors Kaepernick’s valiant sacrifices made on behalf of truly making America great again.

Although Sunday’s events were necessary to move our country forward, we can’t have progress until we name the problem.

photo via john leyba/ getty images

]]>https://allsportseverything.com/2017/09/why-are-owners-and-players-suddenly-so-righteous-after-remaining-willfully-ignorant-for-a-year/feed/1For espnW: ‘Sitting with Kaepernick: Why these women are opting out of fantasy football’https://allsportseverything.com/2017/08/for-espnw-sitting-with-kaepernick-why-these-women-are-opting-out-of-fantasy-football/
Thu, 17 Aug 2017 13:55:23 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11866As NFL players suit up and return to the gridiron, some fans have decided to give up a season of rooting for their home team and favorite players. There will be no draft boards, no kitschy fantasy football team name and definitely no nail-biting, down-to-the-wire wins to celebrate. Instead, they’re gearing up to take on the NFL and team owners in defense of quarterback-activist Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick protested social inequality by kneeling during the national anthem before games last season. He opted out of his San Francisco 49ers contract in March and remains a free agent, with the new season just 23 days away.

Despite playing fantasy football for seven seasons and subscribing to premium NFL television packages, Kimberly Bennett, a 38-year-old attorney and lifelong New York Giants fan, has made the difficult decision to deprive herself of NFL enjoyment. “I feel like my hand was forced,” she said.

She’s not alone. Kellie Hockless, 38, said her avidity for the game started to wane last season. “I can’t even name all of the starting quarterbacks anymore,” the Brooklyn resident said when discussing her lack of enthusiasm for the 2017 season.

Kaepernick’s 2016 protest being misrepresented as anti-American, anti-military and anti-law enforcement along with the NFL’s handling of multiple domestic incidents and lukewarm response to the dangers of concussions turned Hockless off from the game a year ago.

“With each day it becomes more and more evident that this game that we love so much is not good for human beings to play,” she said.

In speaking of her choice to fully boycott the upcoming season if Kaepernick remains unsigned, she said of the NFL, “They don’t care about anything else besides the bottom line. Not human life. Not women. Not black lives — nothing.”

Ohio native and academic adviser Natalie Everett, 38, views the NFL’s shunning of Kaepernick as a pointed message to not just Kaep, but other players, as well. “When a person becomes too outspoken and does more than entertain the masses, usually there’s somebody that comes in and wants to humble them a little bit,” Everett said.

Black folks coming for athlete activist Colin Kaepernick is not what the culture is about in 2017, especially when no one sent for a respectability politics talking convicted felon. Yes, I’m referring to Michael Vick’s recent comments related to Colin Kaepernick’s future as an NFL quarterback.

This week, in an appearance on FS1’s “Speak For Yourself” hosted by Jason Whitlock (strike one, two, and three), a straight-faced Vick, 37, said that Kaepernick, 29, must cut his hair to appear more “presentable” to the powers that be.

In fairness, Vick followed up his initial thoughts by adding he also believes Kaepernick’s less than optimal performances over the past couple of seasons are also contributing factors to Kaepernick’s free agency status with less than two months until the start of the 2017 NFL season.

Admittedly, however, Vick’s initial remarks were so asinine that I disregarded everything that followed. And based on the rapid and rightful dragging of Vick courtesy of social media and other major outlets, it appears most of you did too.

In June, Vick talked with ESPN’s Adam Schefter on his “Know Them From Adam” podcast. During their conversation, Vick, who formally retired from the NFL during the offseason, expressed his desire to return to the NFL as a coach. He explained, “I’d definitely love to help work with young quarterbacks and develop them and still compete, you know, with the team and with the coaches.” Naturally, when one is positioning himself for a power move, accepting an opportunity to appear on a nationally televised platform could be a game changing look if the appearance is received with high marks. However, when given a stage, especially as a person of color addressing race relations on a predominately white platform broadcasted from the sunken place, it is imperative that you remain conscious of your message. Instead, Vick took the bait and foolishly aligned his criminal behavior of fighting, drowning, and electrocuting dogs to that of Kaepernick’s pristine record as a law abiding activist. In less than one minute, Vick’s careless analysis delegitimized Kaepernick’s noble efforts of raising much needed awareness and money (as of June, Kaepernick has donated $700,000 of the $1 million he pledged) for social justice issues.

Recognize that when Vick shamed Kaepernick’s hair, he subconsciously contributed to endorsing damaging stereotypes that have threatened the lives of Black men in America forever. Historically, hair, skin color, style of dress, tone of speech, height, weight — you name it — have been used to criminalize and dehumanize Black men without justification. See Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Alton Sterling or even 12-year-old Tamir Rice, a small fraction of the Black unarmed males who were unjustifiably murdered by police officers because they feared for their lives on sight. Vick, a Black man, publicly echoing the same prejudices and microaggressions towards another Black man is validating AF for white people who believe complying with cops is a bulletproof lifesaving tactic. We all see how well that worked out for Philando Castile.

One day after Vick’s outstandingly bad comments, he attempted to clarify his remarks and deny any intended malice. He tweeted the following statement Tuesday morning:

The one-time trendsetting quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons is too shook to show solidarity with his bredren for fear that it could damage his rehabilitated image. It’s obvious that Vick’s agenda is to maintain good standing with the NFL in return for a professional come up, event if that means maligning a fellow member of the exclusive black QB fraternity along the way.

]]>A Few Things We Learned About Serena’s Fiance During Her ‘Vanity Fair’ Interviewhttps://allsportseverything.com/2017/06/a-few-things-we-learned-about-serenas-fiance-during-her-vanity-fair-interview/
https://allsportseverything.com/2017/06/a-few-things-we-learned-about-serenas-fiance-during-her-vanity-fair-interview/#commentsWed, 28 Jun 2017 12:48:24 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11824Hours after Serena Williams shut down John McEnroe for his highly insulting and misogynistic remarks, the winningest tennis player in the Open Era– male or female — literally shut down the Internet with a beautiful nude maternity cover shoot, featuring fiance Alexis Ohanian, for Vanity Fair.

The shoot, and accompanying story, was a welcomed and timely surprise. It invited fans into the engaged couple’s love affair, providing details about the moment they met, their proposal, wedding plans; and so much more. The entire article is a beautiful narrative that you absolutely must read in its entirety. I was most struck by the the couple’s candor, especially given Ohanian is a relatively unknown figure despite his role in the tech space as the co-founder of Reddit.com. And let’s face it, the second Williams announced her engagement, fans of the global sports icon clamored for information about her mystery man. Well, “Vanity Fair” came through with the details.

Here are a few things we learned about 6’5 Ohanian — born in Brooklyn, NY and raised in Columbia, MD — and his relationship with Williams.

Ohanian is a Reddit co-founder. He and his business partner sold the company in 2006 before returning as executive chairman a few years ago.

The number of users went up rapidly, and, in 2006, 16 months after launching it, he and Huffman, still in their early 20s, sold the company to Condé Nast (which also publishes this magazine) for a reported $10 to $15 million. The price was a fraction of what Reddit has been estimated to be worth today: $4 billion. Alexis sheepishly admitted that they may have sold the company a little early.

Several years ago, he and Huffman returned to Reddit as executive chairman and chief executive officer, respectively, the company once again independent.

He’s a major basketball and football fan, but not much of an athlete despite his height. Also, he’d never watched a tennis match until Serena herself invited him.

But Alexis, an avid pro-football-and-basketball fan, had “never watched a match on television or in real life. It was literally the sport—even if ESPN was announcing tennis updates, I would just zone out. . . . I really had no respect for tennis.”

Alexis, on the other hand, had never seen a tennis match until he met Serena, in May of 2015 in Rome. He knew so little about the game that the photo he excitedly posted on Instagram of her playing her first match in the Italian Open showed her foot faulting.

In May 2015, the two met by happenstance at a hotel in Italy. Williams was visiting for a tournament and Ohanian was a speaker at a conference. Williams’s first impression of her husband-to-be? Annoyed.

Alexis and Serena met the way two people do in the best love stories: by chance. Actually, it runs a little deeper than that because, let’s face it, Alexis was initially considered by Serena and the others she was with to be an irritant they were hoping would just get the hint and go away.

The location was the Cavalieri hotel, in Rome, on May 12, 2015. That night Serena was about to play her first match in the Italian Open. She is not a morning person and usually doesn’t eat breakfast, but the buffet offering at the Cavalieri was beyond extravagant and Jessica was champing at the bit, so they went to try it along with longtime agent Jill Smoller, of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, and Zane Haupt, who handles some business-development opportunities for Serena.

The buffet had closed down five minutes before the group got there, so their only recourse was to go to the pool area and sit at a table for four and order breakfast. Other people on Serena’s team were expected at an adjoining table.

The night before, Alexis had stayed up until one or two in the morning drinking at a café with Kristen Wiig and friends—Wiig was in Rome shooting Zoolander 2, and he knew her cousin, so he introduced himself. He passed out when he got back to the hotel, where he was staying for the Festival of Media Global conference, and was slightly hungover when he came down to breakfast. He too headed out to the pool area. Which is when he decided without thinking about it to sit at the table next to Serena, his only interest to get coffee and food and put on his headphones and work on his laptop. Which struck Serena and the others as a pain in the neck, since Alexis had a choice of other empty tables.

“This big guy comes and he just plops down at the table next to us, and I’m like, ‘Huh! All these tables and he’s sitting here?,’ ” Serena remembered. Alexis recalled that the pool area was “not quite so empty.”

Then came the quintessential Australian accent of Zane Haupt. “Aye, mate! There’s a rat. There’s a rat by your table. You don’t want to sit there.”

Serena started laughing.

“We were trying to get him to move and get out of there,” said Serena. “He kind of refuses and he looks at us. And he’s like, ‘Is there really a rat here?’ ” At which point Serena remembers the first words she ever said to him.

“No, we just don’t want you sitting there. We’re going to use that table.”

“I’m from Brooklyn. I see rats all the time.”

“Oh, you’re not afraid of rats?”

“No.”

Which is when Serena suggested a compromise and invited Alexis to join them.

Their first date lasted six hours in Paris, the City of Love. Serena invited Ohanian to Paris to watch her play. He accepted and the rest is history.

The tournament, which Serena would ultimately win, had not started yet. So Alexis and Serena got into an Uber near Serena’s apartment and drove toward the Eiffel Tower. They stopped at a zoo Serena knew about called La Ménagerie in the Jardin des Plantes, then at a stall selling candies. Serena became excited, like a small child, and Alexis bought her some.

They just walked and roamed, Serena placing her faith in Alexis because he was a tried-and-true traveler, where all you needed was a backpack and the only rules were none. Alexis also sensed that this was not something Serena ever got to do as a worldwide celebrity, so much of her life being about regimen and glamorous scenes where acolytes circled like fireflies. For six hours they walked all over, the magic of the day multiplied by the city’s heartbreak of beauty, which only made it more beautiful.

In December 2016, Ohanian planned an elaborate proposal in Rome, the location of their initial meeting. But the plan almost fell apart.

Alexis decided he would surprise Serena by proposing to her on December 10 in virtually the same spot he had first met her: the Cavalieri. It was an intricate and tactical plan, several months in the making. Serena was scheduled to play in an exhibition in India, so Jill Smoller talked her into making a stopover on the way back and spending the night at the Cavalieri. Then the exhibition was canceled. There was no reason for Serena to go to Italy. Plus, she was beginning training for the Australian Open, and when Serena gets close to a grand-slam event, practice becomes a personal Hacksaw Ridge—fury, broken rackets, sometimes tears. Now going to Rome?

Alexis scrambled to enlist the help of others. Serena’s executive assistant, Dakota Baynham, secretly packed her bags. Tommy Hilfiger did a major solid by scheduling a meeting at her house in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to discuss some fashion-related items so she would be there to get picked up for the airport. Jill came to the house and told her that she had to go to Italy because Alexis wanted her there under the guise of a spontaneous trip, much like the one they had taken to Disney World a few weeks earlier.

Serena wasn’t happy. Actually, she was livid. But after she got on the plane, she realized that he was flying her out for only one reason. “I knew it was coming. I was like, ‘Serena, you’re 35, you’re ready. This is what you want.’ ”

Alexis picked the same room they had shared a year earlier, the hotel at his instruction filling it with flowers. He took her downstairs to the same table by the pool area where they had first met. No one else was there, since the hotel, also at his instruction, had cleared everyone else out. He retold the story of how he had met her for the first time at this exact spot two years earlier. On the table was a little plastic rat.

Williams learned of her pregnancy in January 2017. Not too shocking to learn that Williams’s pregnancy was unplanned. How did she break the big news to her fiance of a month? By handing Ohanian a paper bag with six positive pregnancy tests.

Once Serena knew she was pregnant, she called Alexis and told him he needed to come to Melbourne earlier than planned. She did not give him the reason, but Alexis thought it was likely health-related and immediately got a United flight out of San Francisco. When she saw him, not a word was said.

She handed him a paper bag with the six positive pregnancy tests.

He was as shocked as Serena.

Ohanian has a great sense of humor. He shared a funny story about a San Francisco movie date.

Once, when she and Alexis went to a movie in San Francisco, he got up from his seat to get popcorn, earning the admiration of the kid at the counter.

“Yo, dude, that wasn’t Serena Williams, was it?”

“Come on. Me? Really?”

“You’re right.”

Don’t you just love love?

Serena is due in the Fall and the wedding will take place soon after. Retirement is, of course, out of the question for the mom-to-be. She expects to make a triumphant return to tennis in January 2018.

]]>https://allsportseverything.com/2017/06/a-few-things-we-learned-about-serenas-fiance-during-her-vanity-fair-interview/feed/2WATCH: Jordan Brand’s ‘The Kawhi Question’ commercialhttps://allsportseverything.com/2017/06/watch-jordan-brands-the-kawhi-question-commercial/
Mon, 26 Jun 2017 19:23:20 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11817When basketball know-it-alls debate the greatest NBA player currently in the game, NBA champions LeBron James and Kevin Durant are incessantly discussed. And for good reason as evidenced by Durant earning NBA Finals MVP honors and James averaging a triple-double also during the NBA Finals.

LeBron James. Kevin Durant.

Kevin Durant. LeBron James.

It never stops. Until now.

A worthy interjection and objection to the two-man debate has arrived courtesy of Jordan Brand asking The Kawhi Question.

The execution of the sixty-second ad makes a strong case for why the San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the league. He’s virtually unguardable offensively, and is so dominant defensively that he has the ability to neutralize any player in the league. However Leonard’s impressive skillset is often overlooked by fans of the game due to the Spurs being perceived as boring, fundamental executors of basketball; despite its reputation as perennial winners. And whether you agree or not, Leonard’s modest and unbothered persona also doesn’t do much to win over fans; thus making it difficult to market Leonard as the future of the league despite him possessing every it factor.

But Jordan Brand gets it.

The elite athletic apparel brand has successfully managed to market a player who not enough consider to be the best in the game. And the best part? Leonard didn’t even have to make an appearance in the commercial or say a word on camera. Instead, two bookish teenaged basketball fans go head-to-head passionately debating both sides of Kawhi’s multi-dimensional game with the same fervor as most unimaginatively debate James vs Durant. The conclusion is so convincing that The Kawhi Question is answered with the resolute statement — but Kawhi tho.

photo/video via Jordan

]]>Brandon Marshall on leaving NY Jets for NY Giants: ‘It’s like dating one sister and going to another.’https://allsportseverything.com/2017/06/brandon-marshall-on-leaving-nyj-for-nyg/
Mon, 19 Jun 2017 16:27:20 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11809During the NFL offseason, New York Giants veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall traded in Gang Green for Big Blue after being released by the New York Jets in March. While the two football organizations share an address, the New York football franchises couldn’t be more different. The Jets are in the midst of an arduous rebuild while the Giants are hoping its offseason efforts will payoff in the team winning its third Super Bowl in a decade. Marshall, whose size, athleticism, and veteran leadership is a welcome complement to Odell Beckham Jr.’s explosiveness, hopes the same after completing 11 seasons in the league without a postseason appearance.

All Sports Everything recently had the opportunity to talk with Marshall about his new team, contributing some veteran leadership to a young receiving corps, the New York media, thoughts on fantasy football sleeper picks and more.

All Sports Everything (ASE): Talk about the unique experience of playing for the New York Jets for two seasons, and now playing for the New York Giants?

Brandon Marshall (BM): It’s weird right? It’s like dating one sister and going to another, right? You’re in the same city so you’re seeing some of the same people.

ASE: And they share a house…

BM: Yeah, so it’s a little weird but the fans have been awesome. I think the fans recognize my approach to the game, my approach to the community and they respect me for it. So I think that’s made it easier. It’s softened the blow [for Jets fans]. And the Giants are just a phenomenal organization and one of the best in all of sports, so I’m kind of lucky that I get an opportunity to lineup with those guys for that organization.

ASE: Everyone discusses how tough it is to play in the New York market. As an athlete what’s been your perspective?

BM: It’s extremely tough because it’s so much. It’s nonstop information. It’s nonstop coverage and that’s the thing that makes it tough. All the other things, I think were built to absorb the fan reaction to a losing team. A fan reaction to bad play. As a player, you have to be able to deal with those challenges because you’re never going to be at the top all the time. You’re never going to perform tremendously all the time. So, I think as players, the good ones and the really good organizations, or just the ones who play a long time, they know they’re built for it. And the ones who aren’t, they get weeded out pretty quick. That’s the thing about New York that separates it from any other market, that it’s nonstop information. That it’s nonstop coverage. Some guys and some coaches, they just can’t handle that. But for me, it’s been phenomenal.

ASE: How has your experience working on Showtime helped you adjust to the pressures of living and playing in New York – a major media market?

BM: I’ve learned so much about the media – media relations. As a player, you get stuck in your own world and you just think, ‘Hey, I’m just a football player and they need to respect my boundaries.’ But we need them and they need us. I’ve learned that you have to do the right thing when it comes to media relations because if you don’t, it’s going to make your time harder. So why not embrace it and try to do right by it and build good relationships? Take the good when it comes and the bad when it comes.

ASE: The Giants have a phenomenal receiving corps already established. And with the addition of yourself, it gets that much stronger. You bring some veteran leadership to the team. What do you see as your role and influence on younger players such as Odell Beckham, Jr. and Sterling Shepard?

BM: I’m going on year 12. I have so much experience and I think they can pull from that. In an organic way. As long as they continue to grow and take care of their business, I think we’ll be rolling and I think we’ll have phenomenal chemistry. And again, whenever they want to pull from that experience they will and I think it’ll benefit all of us. And I’ll learn from them as well. Those guys can teach me a thing or two about route running, about how to adjust in and out of my breaks, even my swagger. These guys are young. They take things to a new level with their dress, their attire, their hair.

ASE: Is there anything fun or interesting you’d like Giants fans to know about you?

BM: You know what, everything is kind of out there. I’m an open book. Guys and women know how I approach the game. I think they respect it. I’m just going to continue to take care of business the same way I always have; and I’ll continue to grow. I just want to bring a lot of energy and a lot of passion and hopefully that equals wins.

ASE: This question is for fantasy football players like myself. How high should we draft you this season?

BM: Draft Odell and Sterling and Evan [Engram]. Those guys are the young guys who are just gonna rip it up.

ASE: OK, so you should be a sleeper pick?

BM: Yeah, I’m a sleeper pick. I like being a sleeper pick.

photo via JULIO CORTEZ/AP

]]>WATCH: Nike’s ‘Debate This’ Kevin Durant Ad is the Ultimate Mic Drop Momenthttps://allsportseverything.com/2017/06/watch-nikes-debate-this-kevin-durant-ad-is-the-ultimate-mic-drop-moment/
Tue, 13 Jun 2017 12:19:53 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11803Eleven months ago, Kevin Durant shook up the NBA world when he announced his controversial decision to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder, his “brother” Russell Westbrook, and join forces with two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Never, in the history of the NBA, had a player’s personal choice to upgrade his professional situation been more polarizing. For some, Durant, who’s arguably the best player in the world, teaming up with an already established championship caliber team, was the ultimate sucker move. He was deemed a traitor for joining the team that he blew a 3-1 lead to in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, and weak for taking the easy road to a an inevitable championship. Conversely, others respected Durant for taking control of his career and striving for peak greatness.

How did Durant respond? He let his game do the talking when it mattered most. Not even regular season injuries could alter Durant’s destiny of being an NBA champion. Though the Cleveland Cavaliers were formidable appointments, Durant proved to be the most efficient player on both ends of the court, leading the Warriors to an NBA-best 16-1 playoff record while averaging 35.2 ppg, 8.4 rpg, and 5.4 apg in the NBA Finals. In the end, Durant earned an NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP award against the Cavaliers.

It’s a liberating story of perseverance and redemption. One boldly told by NIKE immediately following the game in a 60-second spot titled, “Debate This”. In its congratulatory ad, NIKE captures the career-long criticism, overcome by Durant, regarding his size, mental tenacity, leadership ability, and so much more before concluding with the mic drop of all mic drops. Durant winning his first NBA championship.

Say what you want about Durant’s decision, but don’t discredit his ability for setting a lifelong goal and finally achieving it with the heart and hustle of a champion. The popular opinion suggests Durant needed the Warriors more than the Warriors needed Durant. However, Durant’s value to the Warriors should never be diminished nor doubted after witnessing his dominance and will throughout the NBA playoffs.

Respect Durant for being a fine example of what it looks like to take control of your destiny. Athletes literally fought for the right (see Curt Flood) to choose their own way; and when an athlete exercises that right he’s demeaned and vilified. In 2017. Let Durant’s victory serve as a great reminder for why one should never apologize for choosing self. Why living for the approval of others is an oppressive mindset.

The rematch, aka the trilogy, NBA fans have been patiently waiting for since the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers stunned the basketball world by erasing a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, tips off tonight at 9PM/ET on ABC. The hype surrounding this matchup can’t be overstated. The two most dominant and consistent NBA teams over the past three seasons meeting again in a rubber match for NBA supremacy is the reason we watch sports. But how will the unknowns of this series factor into who walks away victorious? I ask and answer 10 questions on all of our minds as we count down the hours to gametime.

1. How will nine days of rest impact the Golden State Warriors after completing its sweep of the San Antonio Spurs on May 22? Everyone has a theory when it comes to determining how idleness impacts a team’s readiness. Since sports is largely about momentum, some believe that a week or more in between games is a complete buzzkill. While others theorize that teams have a greater potential to be rested, clear-minded, and hyper focused. Thankfully, fans don’t have to wait long to receive an answer to this question. It’ll be obvious which team, if any, has an edge five minutes after tipoff. Though, I’m going to go out on a limb and give the advantage to the Warriors because the fans at Oracle Arena will have that place rocking early. There’s no way the Warriors aren’t spurred by #DubNations’ energy.

2. Will Klay Thompson become the impact player he’s capable of being? This postseason Thompson’s presence has taken a backseat to Stephen Curry (28.6 ppg) and Kevin Durant (25.2 ppg). He’s averaging 14.4 ppg and shooting 38-percent from the field on 13.9 shot attempts. From the arc, he’s averaging just 5.5 shot attempts, which is down from 8.3 in the regular season, despite playing the same amount of minutes –34. While Thompson’s numbers are down, the Warriors have been fortunate to cruise into the Finals unscathed without an impact performance from the lost Splash Brother. But, the team’s approach must be different if they plan to get four wins over the Cavs. That means, actively involving Thompson in the offensive scheme, something the team has failed to do up until now. Acting head coach Mike Brown and Steve Kerr have a strong weapon in Thompson that must be utilized for the benefit of the team.

3. How do the Warriors play Kyrie? Listen. I’m a strong believer that Kyrie is the Cav’s x-factor. Defensively, Kyrie will irritate TF out of Curry. While Curry will get off his shots, and have his hot moments, I fully expect Kyrie to wear Steph out. Offensively, Kyrie, if defended by Curry, will transition into a streetball player right before our eyes only to expose Curry’s weakness on defense. His ball handling, speed, and footwork is too much for Curry; or most defenders to be honest. But especially Curry who for whatever reason gets a pass when it comes to assessing his defensive prowess, or lack thereof. It will be beautiful to watch; unless you’re a Warriors fan, of course.

4. Can the Cavs win at Oracle? Yes, they can. Need proof? Look no further than the Cavs completing a historic comeback last season.

5. How will Steve Kerr’s limited coaching role impact the Warriors game plan? Very minimally. Despite being plagued with back issues the majority of the postseason, Kerr is reportedly considering returning courtside to coach in the Finals. With hours to go before tipoff, we still do not have a final word on Kerr’s status. But with the Warriors at home, I expect Kerr to be present in the arena for Games 1 and 2, making me less concerned about his influence on the in-game plan. However, when the series shifts to Cleveland, that’s a different story. The Cavs will come out swinging early in Game 3, its first home game of the series. If Kerr opts to remain out West, a hint of worry about Mike Brown’s ability to make in-game adjustments starts to creep in. That’s never been his strength as a head coach and considering the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs weren’t major competition for the Warriors, Brown hasn’t had to flex much during his interim status. But on the other hand, the success of Luke Walton last season and Mike Brown this season (thus far) strongly suggests that the Warriors are about those wins regardless of who’s calling plays. Plus, Brown has a lot to gain from defeating his old team. Not only in the series, but in his old building. All eyes will certainly be on Brown’s decision making when players rack up one foul too many, or when the game is on the line; but he won’t collapse under the pressure.

6. Will the Cavs poke the bear to try to get a rise out of Draymond Green; and will he bite? Tensions will be on ten in this series, there’s no doubt about that. And Draymond will almost definitely be at the center of any heated exchanges. But in order for the Warriors to give their best, Draymond must remain on the floor. That means, he must exhibit discipline and demonstrate maturity, compared to the player he was last season. The Warriors, inclusive of Kevin Durant, can’t afford to lose Draymond due to an ejection or suspension. They just can’t.

7. Everyone talks about how deep the Cavs bench is — Channing Frye, Richard Jefferson, Kyle Korver, Iman Shumpert, Deron Williams; but are people sleeping on the Warriors bench? Nah for real. Are you? Because if so, please stop. Ian Clarke, Javale McGee, Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, and David West are not bums. While the Cavs added additional shooters and scorers to its roster, most notably Korver, it’s not enough to neutralize Curry when he’s hot. Or Durant. Or Thompson. Or even Green who can also shoot it from downtown. And the addition of Warriors McGee and West offer extra physicality to assist Draymond. It’s unfortunate Iguodala hasn’t been fully healthy during the playoffs because when it comes to defending LeBron, he’s the best the Warriors have to offer. But again, when he’s at full strength. Remember, Iggy won 2015 NBA Finals MVP for controlling LeBron down the stretch of that series. Notice I didn’t say shutting LeBron down? Well, that’s because shutting LeBron down is an impossible assignment for anyone in today’s league, save for maybe Kawhi Leonard. In summary, the Warriors have a deeper, more offensively talented roster. And defensively, the edge goes to the Cavs. But it just might be a push when it comes down to assessing which team is better equipped to have an impact on the game in the areas that don’t show up in the boxscore.

8. Does it matter that the Warriors won the regular season series 3-1? Nope, not even a little bit. The playoffs are a whole new ballgame. And again, LeBron James & Co. came back from being down 3-1. Granted, I do believe that if Draymond had avoided a suspension the Warriors would be playing for a 3peat –or not — because if Kyrie hadn’t gotten injured in 2015, the Cavs would’ve probably won that series. Soooo, what I’m saying is, the past has no bearing on the present. Anything can happen.

9. If LeBron James beats the Warriors, the best all-around team in the NBA for a second consecutive season, does he eclipse Michael Jordan as the GOAT? Absolutely not. LeBron opted to take his talents to Miami after failing in Cleveland from 2003 -2010. In South Beach, he teamed up with already NBA champion Dwyane Wade because he was chasing a ring, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan. Meanwhile, Jordan, a rookie in ’84, endured all Los Angeles Lakers – Boston Celtics – Detroit Pistons everything before eventually ascending to champion level status in ’91. Did MJ bail on Chicago and go to LA to team up with Magic Johnson or Detroit to play with Isiah Thomas? Nah. Instead, he remained in Chicago and eventually dominated with the roster that head coach Phil Jackson and general manager Jerry Krause built; winning six championship titles with one organization. No shortcuts. And another thing, the Eastern Conference during the LeBron James era is weak AF. While diminishing LeBron’s eight straight trips to the NBA Finals seems unfair, when you review the competition you must admit, there hasn’t been much competition at all. Yes, you must play the hand you’re dealt and LeBron can only control the preparedness of the team he represents, but let’s be honest, this league lacks parity compared to Jordan’s heyday. There have literally not been any consistent Eastern Conference teams posing a threat to LeBron’s Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers. Admittedly, not his fault. But you must take that into consideration when evaluating his entire body of work and when comparing him to Jordan. For me, that’s enough to never view LeBron on the same level as Jordan. Ever.

10. How will a win or loss for Kevin Durant, against the Cavs, impact his reputation and legacy? I’m beyond exhausted of people shading Durant for his personal choice to achieve a professional goal. I don’t judge Durant for exercising his right to choose at all. I didn’t in July and I don’t today, almost one year later. However, I pray the Warriors don’t go down to the Cavs, if for no other reason than to spare all of us the wrath and rants of Stephen A. Smith. Are you listening, basketball gods? No one wants it. However, if the Warriors lose, Durant will rightfully be dragged so hard; especially after the type of season that Mr. Triple Double Russell Westbrook notched. And if that’s the case, I just have one request. Please redirect all previously reserved Carmelo Anthony slander regarding his lack of NBA rings towards Durant. It’s only fair given that Melo has never had the privilege of playing with as many great players in the heart of their prime as Durant. Furthermore, let’s not forget that Durant’s already lost to LeBron during the 2012 NBA Finals. If Durant can’t win with Golden State, then he legit can’t win anywhere. What happens following this season becomes a non-factor because the self-inflicted damage will already be done. Conversely, if the Warriors win, most will be clamoring to put an asterisk by this championship and any subsequent Durant titles won with the Warriors. And that’s their right. I’m sure Durant will agree that you can call him anything you’d like as long as you don’t forget to call him NBA champion too.

And now for my prediction: Warriors in 6.

photos via NBA.com/The Big Lead.com/CavsNation.com

]]>[ICYMI] ASE Radio: It’s (Not) So Hard To Say Goodbye…https://allsportseverything.com/2017/02/icymi-ase-radio-its-not-so-hard-to-say-goodbye/
https://allsportseverything.com/2017/02/icymi-ase-radio-its-not-so-hard-to-say-goodbye/#commentsSat, 18 Feb 2017 22:29:07 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11761If you recall, nearly two weeks ago, ASE Radio celebrated its 2 year anniversary. Yay! And again, if you recall, I said if you’ve never tuned into a live show, then make sure you tuned into that show. Why? Because it was also the final show. Yep, after a great two years, All Sports Everything Radio is a wrap (for now — never say never, right?). I’m so very grateful to you and the thousands (!!!) of people who have listened to me talk sports, politics, entertainment, and whatever other random topics came to mind every week for the past two years. Special thanks to all of my guests, as well as Flo Empire Radio for welcoming me into the family. But I’m also excited to tackle the next chapter of my life. If you’re wondering what it is, well, tune into the show to find out!

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you for holding me down and I ask that you continue to support my journey by following me on all of the social media platforms — @ItsShanaRenee.

xx

P.S. Sorry (not sorry) I buried the lede into the contents of the show. But it had to be done.

]]>https://allsportseverything.com/2017/02/icymi-ase-radio-its-not-so-hard-to-say-goodbye/feed/1Is the NFL sending message to Trump with new “Love Has No Labels” ad?https://allsportseverything.com/2017/02/is-the-nfl-sending-message-to-trump-with-new-love-has-no-labels-ad/
Thu, 16 Feb 2017 15:15:11 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11754Regardless of the season, the NFL can always benefit from goodwill and positive press. It seems the league and/or its players remain mired in scandal and controversy. While ratings suffered early in the season, partially credited to the brutal political climate, since the season concluded two weeks ago, much of the league’s talk has centered around what else…politics. New England Patriots players (five black, one white) came under fire for opting out of the traditional White House visit reserved for Super Bowl champions, while quarterback Tom Brady defended his choice to skip the team’s 2015 visit during then-President Obama’s term. Also, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick, and Brady share an unapologetic friendship with the current president who surrounds himself with white supremacists and advances a hate fueled agenda targeting Muslims, immigrants, people of color and women.

In general, the NFL is unable to successfully shake its exclusionary good ol’ boy club reputation. From questioning the efficacy of the Rooney Rule, an initiative hoped to ignite a black coach hiring spree, to its repeated mishandling of alleged domestic violence and sexual assault accusations, to its anything but progressive stance on LBGTQ issues, the NFL is constantly on defense.

Until now?

The NFL has teamed up with The Ad Council on a new ad called “Fans of Love,” as part of a greater “Love Has No Labels,” campaign. “Fans of Love” centers around a much needed message — love, acceptance, and inclusivity. The Kiss Cam at the Pro Bowl in Orlando, the city of the tragic hate crime at Pulse nightclub which killed 49 people, is the focal point of the ad. While the couples featured on the kiss cam are the true heroes. Interracial couples, gay couples, straight couples, may-december couples, senior citizen couples, couples of different faiths, budding friendships, and children with disabilities are spotlighted in celebration of love. “Show Me Love” by Hundred Waters provides the perfect tone with open-hearted lyrics such as, “Don’t let me show cruelty, though I may make mistakes. Don’t let me show ugliness, though I know I can hate.”

Given the divisive and fear-inducing tone set by #45, brand statement’s in direct opposition of Trump’s policies is seen as a purposeful reaction and powerful message delivered to the American people. Just as Trump and his cabinet boldly declare to make America great again by reclaiming the country’s male whiteness, companies are rejecting that notion by engaging in corporate social responsibility through philanthropic and/or purpose-driven marketing that favor diversity and inclusion.

When the NFL uses its platform to spread an all-encompassing message of love without labels, in spite of the backlash it received for a Colin Kaepernick led injustice boycott of the national anthem, the resistance against Trump’s America with borders rages on in a major way.

photo via R/GA

]]>The Dynasty Continues with UConn’s 100th Win!https://allsportseverything.com/2017/02/the-dynasty-continues-with-uconns-100th-win/
Tue, 14 Feb 2017 17:24:46 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11743The University of Connecticut’s Lady Huskies keep it eight more than 92…100 with its latest historic victory, a 66-55 win over South Carolina.

With a sold out crowd at Storrs, Connecticut’s famed Harry A. Gampel Pavilion, and legendary Lady Huskies including Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore, Sue Bird, Tina Charles, and many others in the stands cheering on their squad, Dawn Stanley coached her No. 6 South Carolina Lady Gamecocks to a competitive loss. On the journey to 100, with its last loss dating back to November 17, 2014, Connecticut notched its 98th double-digit win, though well below its average margin of victory of 38 points.

As the wins continued to pile up for Geno Auriemma’s women’s college basketball team, and they broke their own 90-game win streak, fans not so quietly began to wonder if his latest group of players would indeed achieve the greatest milestone in NCAA basketball history; win 100 consecutive games. For any other program, the thought would be considered foolish and unfathomable. How could any team maintain that kind of momentum? What about injury and fatigue? Pressure? Or, the contagious behavior of turnovers, poor shooting, or lax defense which are all known to rot teams from the inside out? Also, how would they replace the historic trio of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson, and Morgan Tuck? Surely, a rebuild of such magnitude would cause the Lady Huskies to struggle; and more importantly, swallow a loss or two, here and there. But none of this would affect Auriemma’s team en route to 100. In fact, none of this ever affects Auriemma’s dominant dynasty of teams. Sophomore’s Kia Nurse (12.8 ppg, 4.2 apg) and Napheesa Collier (19.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg) , along side juniors Katie Lou Samuelson (20.8 ppg) and Gabby Williams (13.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 5.3 apg) stepped up to the challenge and delivered the same winning characteristics as each of Auriemma’s NCAA championship teams have done throughout his Hall of Fame career.

And this wasn’t an easy victory. The (21-3) Lady Gamecocks were worthy opponents as they held (25-0) UConn’s top scorer, Samuelson, to an uncharacteristically low 6 points on 2-of-12 shooting; and forced Collier into early foul trouble. South Carolina remained competitive deep into the 4th quarter, led by A’ja Wilson’s 17 points. But in the end, it was Connecticut’s unrivaled discipline, defensive prowess, resolute mindset, and offensive hustle by Williams (career-high 26 points, 18 rebounds) that ultimately prevailed.

When the final buzzer sounded Monday night, there was no storming the court, or confetti drop. While fake big-faced Auriemma one hundred dollar bills did rain down from the rooftop, generally speaking, it was business as usual for the team that exists in a winners never lose reality that most of us only fantasize about.

After the celebration, Auriemma showed just how rooted in reality he is saying, “They carried the torch across the finish line to 100. If it’s a relay, they took the baton to 100. If we win a national championship it’s all theirs. I want to focus on trying to do that instead of worrying about the other stuff.”

“The other stuff?” Like believing their own hype, and falling into the trap of overlooking opponents and counting up every win before tip-off. Which fans, analysts, and media have been overzealous about doing for quite some time because “the other stuff” is earned, justified, and expected from Auriemma’s brand of basketball.

And finally, was joined by a very special guest, Julito McCullum who played Namond Brice from “The Wire”. He looked back at his role, talked about the possibility of “The Wire” movie happening, shared what he’s currently working on, and discussed the status of the NY Knicks. (1:06:50)

]]>Ronda Rousey and other athletes are not here for Trump’s DAPL approvalhttps://allsportseverything.com/2017/01/ronda-rousey-and-other-athletes-are-not-here-for-trumps-dapl-approval/
Thu, 26 Jan 2017 14:03:32 +0000https://allsportseverything.com/?p=11719Less than one week on the job and Donald Trump has signed executive orders directly opposing rights, funding, and protections favoring women, immigrants, creatives, the environment and Native Americans, to start. While there’s no shortage of reasons for American citizens to be outraged by Trump’s divisive and downright demagogic leadership, Trump’s recent ruling in support of advancing the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) has reignited protests which were paused in December 2016 when then-President Barack Obama halted the project which threatens the sacred land, tribal burial ground, and water supply of Native Americans. As Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said at the time, “In the year 2016, we should not continue to trample on Native American sovereignty. We should not endanger the water supply of millions of people. We should not become more dependent on fossil fuel and accelerate the planetary crisis of climate change.” But, when President Obama’s successor goes on record as denying climate change even exists, the road ahead appears dangerous and bleak. As such, the fight continues.

Just as athletes have amplified their voices and platforms to speak out against racial and social injustice, we’re seeing athletes join in on this cause as well.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback and activist Colin Kaepernick, who caused a political firestorm when he protested the national anthem during the NFL season as a means to take a stand against police shooting unarmed black men, and injustice overall, has not let up since the NFL season ended. Two weeks ago, Kaepernick hosted a “Know Your Rights” camp in Harlem, with the goal to “raise awareness on higher education, self empowerment, and instruction to properly interact with law enforcement in various scenarios.” Maintaining his pledge to raise awareness for injustices, the quarterback used his Instagram account to bring the attention of DAPL to his 1.5 million followers.

Another athlete breaking her silence is UFC’s most recognizable fighter, Ronda Rousey. After keeping a low profile following her devastating loss to Amanda Nunes, Rousey reemerged in a big way. Days ago, she was spotted in North Dakota distributing supplies to protesters. According to TMZ, Rousey and her friend, MMA fighter Pauline Macias, brought fruit, vegetables, tents, wood-burning stoves and other supplies. The former bantamweight champion has also been posting DAPL updates to her verified Facebook page.

Lastly, the New York Daily News has reported, Thompson Brothers Lacrosse CEO, professional player, and Native American Bill O’Brien traveled to Standing Rock, North Dakota months ago “to protest and organize a lacrosse game on the front lines as a way to heal tensions.” Like other athletes turned activists, O’Brien recognizes the value in leveraging his platform to raise awareness. Speaking to the Daily News, O’Brien said, “I don’t think the water protectors plan on leaving any time soon. In their mind, and my mind, they’re fighting for something that’s right. They’re fighting not just an indigenous cause, they’re fighting for all humans beings on Mother Earth and they’re fighting for clan water, so hopefully through persistence and peaceful protests, the right side will prevail.” Though the lacrosse community may be niche compared to Kaepernick’s millions of followers, it’s going to take every voice to win this battle.

If you’d like to stand with Standing Rock, take action by donating to one or all of these defense funds. Trump protesters aren’t going to win every battle, but it’s certainly worth the effort. Everything is at stake and we need to put the pressure on Trump and our elected city, state, and federal officials to do right be their citizens.